"I promise that I will come back. I'll only be gone for a few days." Frodo had told me that he was going to visit some of his dearest relatives that lived in the Westfarthing. This was the first time that Frodo has ever been outside Hobbiton without me. I really wanted him to stay. "Frodo, I'm worried. What if you never come back?"
Frodo chuckled and he brushed my hair over my ears. "Don't worry. Everything is going to be alright." he reassured. "Am I going to stay here by myself?" I asked Frodo, anxiously. "No, of course not." replied Frodo. "Then, who's going to look after me when your gone? Is it Sam? Is it Pippin?" Frodo shook his head. "No, I'm afraid not." "Who's coming over?" I asked again.
"Merry is going to come over and look after you. I don't think you will be disappointed." Frodo chuckled. "I love Merry!" I cheered. Frodo patted my back, lightly. "I know you do. He's going to be so happy to see you."
There was a knock on the front door. "Hmm. That must be him." Frodo muttered. Frodo picked up both of his suitcases and I followed him to the front door.
Frodo opened up the door and Merry was standing outside on the front porch. "Hello, Frodo." Merry greeted. "Hello, Merry. I'm so glad you could make it. Brianna is very excited to see you." I peered behind Frodo's shoulder, gingerly and fixated my gaze on Merry.
"Brianna! There you are!" Merry cheered. Frodo moved out of the way and Merry came running towards me. He wrapped his arms around my torso and cuddled me. "I missed you so much much!" "I missed you, too, Merry!"
After Merry and I let go of each other, Frodo walked up to me, he pressed both of his hands against my temples, and he kissed me on the forehead. "I know this will be hard for both of us. I know. But, don't fret. Merry is going to take good care of you. Can you be brave for me?" "I'll try. I'm going to miss you, Frodo." I hugged Frodo tightly. "I'm going to miss you, too, sunshine." Frodo whispered. He turned and gazed at Merry.
"Please, keep a watchful eye on her, Merry." He told him. "I know that you'll take good care of her. Won't you?" Merry nodded his head. "She's in good hands, Frodo. She'll be safe with me." "Thank you so much, Merry. Thank you." "You're very welcome, Frodo."
Before Frodo left, he longingly gazed at me and bid me a friendly farewell. He shut the front door behind him. A feeling of sadness and anxiousness filled my heart. "I hope that Frodo will be alright, Merry." I murmured. Merry came up behind me and placed a hand on my back. "He'll be just fine, Bri. He'll be alright."
During the evening, I was lying in my bed. I couldn't sleep. I missed Frodo so much. Without him, I felt like a piece of my heart was stolen. Merry walked over to my room and sat down beside me on the end of my mattress. I kept to myself. "Hey, Bri. How are you feeling, love?" asked Merry. He moved in closer to me.
"Merry, I miss Frodo." I muttered. "I know you do. I know, sweetheart. But, you really shouldn't be worrying so much. Frodo said he'll be back soon." Merry whispered in my ear.
I started to choke up. I was so overwhelmed that tears filled up in my eyes. "Why don't you try falling asleep?" Merry suggested. I shook my head. "N-No. I can't." I choked. "I c-c-can't. I w-w-want Frodo." Tears streamed down my cheeks like two giant waterfalls. Merry felt pity for me.
"M-M-Me...Merry. I don't...want...t-t-to...Mer...Merry. I don't...w-w-want....c-c-can't...s-s-s-s-sleep. Me...Merry...I...c-c-can't...s-s-sleep." I sobbed. "O-Oh, M-M-Merry. H-h-help..."
Merry carefully lifted my head from my pillow and he invited me into his arms. I poured out all of my emotions into his chest. As I cried, Merry cradled me in his arms and rocked me back and forth. "M-M-Merry." I whimpered. Merry pulled me in close to him and rested his chin over my head. I firmly clutched at his nightshirt collar.
"Shhh." Merry lulled. I could feel his warm breath upon my forehead. He patted me gently on the back. "Shhh. Easy now, easy now. It's alright. It's alright, m'dear. Let it all out. Shhh."
I swallowed hard. "M-M-M...Merry. I c-c-can't. I can't do this." "Shh, shh, shh." Merry soothed. "Oh, Bri. It pains me to see you like this. My poor girl. My poor poor girl." I continued to weep. It was difficult for me to calm down. "I...I....s-s-s-sorry, Merry." I shuddered.
"No, no, no. Don't apologize, love. I know how much you miss Frodo. I know." Merry whispered in my ear. He gently lowered me into my bed and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. I quickly seized Merry's other hand. "Shh, easy, easy, love. Shh." He soothed.
"I think it's time for you to sleep, Bri. You look awfully tired." "B-b-but, I c-c-can't." I whimpered. Merry grabbed a hold of my bedsheets and my duvet covers and tucked them comfortably around me. He wiped away the remaining tears left on my cheeks.
"Oh, Bri." Merry whispered. "Everything is going to be alright. I promise. I promise. Here, why don't I stay here with you until you fall asleep? Would you like that? Would you?"
"Mmm hmm." I sniffled. Merry slowly leaned his head foreword and pressed his lips up against my cheek. "Don't cry. Don't cry, love."
I let out a small whimper. "Go to sleep. Go to sleep." Merry cooed.
I started to calm down. "Atta girl. Atta girl." Merry hushed. "Do you feel any better?" "Sort of." I murmured. I still felt empty inside. I stared down at the floor, avoiding eye contact with Merry. "What are you looking at, Bri?" asked Merry. "Um, Nothing. It's...It's nothing." I frowned. Merry snapped his fingers underneath my chin. "Hey, cheer up." he reassured me. "I can't, Merry. I'm still upset." I told him.
Merry had a wide grin on his face. "What? What's so funny?" I asked him. I looked up and gazed into Merry's eyes. All of a sudden, Merry let out a small chuckle. "Hey, Bri. Watch this." he told me. Merry wiggled his pointy ears and made a hilarious face. I couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Merry, What are you doing?" "I'm just trying to make you feel better."
Merry moved closer to me and tickled my my waist. "No, no, no! Merry, stop!" I giggled. "No more! No more! Please! Please!" "Alright, alright." said Merry. "I guess that's enough fun for tonight. Come on, Bri. It's time for sleep."
I leaned back into my bed and rested my head on my soft cotton pillow. Merry tucked me in one last time. My dark green eyes followed Merry's bright blue eyes. "Merry, can I ask you something?" "Sure, Bri. What would you ask of me?" "I was wondering if...maybe you could...kiss me goodnight?"
"Kiss you goodnight?" "It was just an idea." I replied, timidly. "I think that's a fantastic idea." Merry blurted out. He leaned forward and kissed me on both of my cheeks. I blushed like crazy. "Goodnight, Bri. Sweet Dreams." Merry crooned. "Goodnight, Merry. I love you."
"I love you, too, sweetheart. I love you, too."